Golden retriever puppies are generally known for their friendly and outgoing nature, but sometimes they can exhibit aggressive behavior too, which can be concerning for pet parents.
Aggression in golden retriever puppies can have many causes, including fear or anxiety, lack of socialization or attention, poor training, physical abuse, possessiveness, illness-related pain, irresponsible breeding, lack of exercise, and dominance. It’s important to identify the underlying issue to address it effectively.
In this article, we’ll explore the potential causes of aggressive behavior in golden retriever puppies in detail to help you better understand why your puppy may be exhibiting aggressive behavior and how you can address it to help them thrive.
Table of Contents
Is Aggression Common in Golden Retrievers?
No, aggression is not common in golden retrievers. Golden retrievers are known for their friendly, outgoing, and loving nature.
They are a breed that typically gets along well with people, children, and other animals and are not predisposed to aggressive behavior.
A study conducted in 2008 used the Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire method to assess the general and recent reactions of more than 30 breeds of dogs to different common stimuli and situations. Golden retrievers were one of the least aggressive breeds towards humans as well as dogs.
It’s important to remember that puppies, including golden retrievers, engage in play that may seem aggressive at times, but they are only puppies that are playing.
Golden retrievers aren’t naturally aggressive.
They are learning how to interact with the world around them, and they may seem “mouthy” to you as they develop social skills, explore the world, learn bite inhibition, and communicate with their mouth.
Puppies may growl, bark, nip, and jump during play, but this behavior is usually not a sign of aggression.
RELATED: Why Do Golden Retrievers Bark So Much?
However, it’s essential to supervise puppy playtime and prevent inappropriate behavior from turning into actual aggression.
If your golden retriever puppy shows aggression, it can also be due to an underlying issue such as fear, anxiety, poor breeding, cruelty, and lack of socialization, training, or attention.
In fact, you can’t expect someone to remain calm and all lovey-dovey when they are sick, in pain, or have endured cruelty.
Summary: Aggression is not common in golden retrievers, known for their friendly and gentle nature. A study found them to be one of the least aggressive breeds. Puppy play may mimic aggression but typically isn’t indicative of actual aggression.
What Causes a Golden Retriever Puppy To Be Aggressive?
Is golden retriever aggressive? There are various reasons why a golden retriever puppy may become aggressive, and it’s important to identify the underlying cause to address the issue effectively.
Here are some factors that can contribute to aggressive behavior in golden retriever puppies.
1. Abuse
Puppies, regardless of the breed, that have experienced physical or emotional abuse may learn to associate humans or other dogs with pain and fear.
As a result, they may become aggressive to protect themselves or lash out in response to their trauma.
RELATED: Do Golden Retrievers Hold Grudges?
Abuse can be in the form of hitting, kicking, or neglecting a puppy’s basic needs, including food and water.
Emotional abuse can include harsh punishment, constant yelling, or isolation from social interactions with other dogs or people.
Unfortunately, the effects of abuse can be long-lasting, even if the puppy is removed from the abusive environment.
Puppies who have experienced abuse may struggle with trust and may be more prone to aggression or fear-based behavior.
2. Neglect
A kind of abuse, neglect can be in the form of ignoring your puppies’ basic needs or not giving them enough love, attention, or playtime.
Puppies that have not received proper care, socialization, or attention may develop fear, anxiety, and aggression.
Pet parents who have busy routines and fail to give attention to their puppies become a reason for aggression in their puppies.
3. Fear or Anxiety
Fear-based aggression can develop in a puppy if they have experienced abuse from their owners in the past, and it is more like a self-defense reaction.
Puppies can generalize the abusive behavior of their owners and try to defend themselves whenever they see a hand reaching out to them by biting them.
Harsh and abusive behavior of pet owners increases fear and anxiety in the puppies, which can be seen as aggression.
RECOMMENDED READING: Anxiety in Golden Retrievers: Symptoms, Causes, & Solutions
Furthermore, when puppies feel threatened, such as in unfamiliar environments or situations, they may exhibit aggression as a means of protecting themselves.
Can golden retrievers protect you? Well, with their territorial instincts, they may behave aggressively toward a person who may be a danger to you, and they might actually be right.
Nevertheless, a study shows that fear or anxiety disorder can have an adverse impact on the lifespan and health of domestic dogs.
Hence, it’s vital to identify and address the cause of the fear or anxiety in your golden retriever puppy.
4. Poor Training or Lack of Socialization
Puppies that have not been properly socialized may not know how to interact appropriately with new people, situations, and other animals.
As a result, they will start showing signs of fear and aggression.
When a puppy is not trained, they may develop bad habits such as jumping, biting, or growling, which can lead to aggressive behavior.
Recommended Reading: Do Golden Retrievers Jump Fences?
Imagine being raised in a sheltered home with no access to the outside world, and you’re suddenly pushed out to explore the world, encounter new situations, and meet new people.
You would most probably also react aggressively or nervously out of fear.
5. Injury
Puppies who are in severe pain may become aggressive due to discomfort. Puppies can get injured while playing, jumping, or even during training.
You may even get worried and ask, “Why is my golden retriever suddenly aggressive when they were calm and playful a while ago?”.
They may have an injury in their mouth, dental issues, a fracture, or a sprain, and these injuries can cause unbearable pain that can cause aggression in puppies.
If you think this is the case, take them to your veterinarian immediately, so they can examine your pup and recommend the appropriate treatment.
6. Illness or Pain
Like babies, puppies cannot tell that they are sick or feeling pain in a specific body part.
As a result, they may use aggression as a tool to grab the attention of their owners.
Certain illnesses or medical conditions can also cause a puppy to become aggressive.
They include rabies, hormonal imbalances like hypothyroidism, neurological conditions, and various genetic and metabolic disorders.
If they have a fever or feel fatigued due to other medical conditions, they may feel cranky and act aggressively.
It’s essential to keep in mind that aggression caused by illness or pain is not the puppy’s fault.
They are simply responding to discomfort and are not able to understand why they are feeling the way they are.
Treating the underlying medical condition can help alleviate this type of aggression.
7. Irresponsible Breeding
A breeder who prioritizes profit over the health and well-being of their dogs may be more likely to breed puppies inappropriately.
We all know that raising a puppy is not cheap.
Irresponsible breeders may not take care of their daily nutritional needs and may not properly exercise, train, or socialize them while saving extra money and effort.
Lack of attention and concern from breeders can further lead puppies to develop aggression issues.
Furthermore, breeding dogs with aggression issues can pass these traits onto their offspring, perpetuating the cycle of aggression in future generations by inheriting aggressive tendencies.
8. Possessiveness or Territorial Behavior
Puppies may become aggressive when guarding the resources that are highly desirable to them, or they consider to be theirs, including food and non-food items like toys, bedding, or their territory.
Puppies who exhibit possessive aggression may growl, bark, or snarl when someone approaches their “possessions”, or they may become territorial over their bed or other areas of the house.
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Although it’s a natural behavior, it can be dangerous, especially if it escalates to biting.
It’s essential for owners to address possessive aggression early on and to prevent it from becoming a long-term issue.
9. Dominance Aggression
Golden retriever dominance aggression isn’t quite common, as they are spectacular family dogs.
However, not training your puppy properly or lack of socialization are the most common causes of dominance-based aggression.
According to a questionnaire study, dominant dogs have priority access to resources, excessively bark, win fights, defend and lead the group, and are more aggressive and impulsive.
A dominant dog may not give up their toy or treat when you ask them to and may not follow your commands.
Instead, they will challenge you and may growl, snap, stare, or even bite you.
10. Lack of Physical Exercise and Mental Stimulation
One potential cause of aggression in golden retriever puppies is a lack of physical exercise and mental stimulation.
Puppies that don’t receive enough physical and mental activity may become bored and frustrated, leading to an increased likelihood of aggressive behavior like barking, growling, jumping, and excessive chewing.
11. Frustration Aggression
Your puppy might exhibit frustration-elicited aggression when they get excited by something but are held back due to an object holding them or the person.
For instance, your dog may want to approach something they find exciting, but they may feel restrained by the leash.
They may start biting the leash or your hand holding the leash.
You might notice frustration-related aggression in dogs when put in a crate, in a car, or on a leash.
You should talk to your vet about this behavior if it’s common and get professional tips from them.
However, you can try to distract them from the source of frustration (with their favorite treat) and engage them in another activity.
12. Redirected Aggression
When your puppy is displaying aggression toward a person or animal, and you interfere, they might bite or attack you. This is called redirected aggression.
RECOMMENDED READING: Do Golden Retrievers Attack Humans?
The most common scenario is when you try to break a fight between two dogs, and one of them bites your arm or leg, which can be excruciating and dreadful.
Prevention, training, and management will help you overcome this issue.
Summary: Aggressive behavior in golden retriever puppies can stem from abuse, neglect, fear, anxiety, poor training, lack of socialization, injury, illness, irresponsible breeding, possessiveness, territorial behavior, dominance, lack of exercise, frustration, and redirected aggression.
What Are the Signs of Aggression in Golden Retrievers?
Golden retrievers are known for their friendly and gentle temperament. However, it is not uncommon for golden retrievers to display signs of aggression under certain circumstances.
They show aggression through their body language since they can’t speak. If you can understand their body language well, you can better understand their signals to back off or get cautious.
Look for any of the following or a combination of these signs of aggression in your puppy.
An Intense Stare
You can guess it from your golden retriever puppy’s eyes whenever they are aggressive. You will see an intense stare, and it’s enough to make you understand that your puppy is highly aggressive at the moment.
Stance
You can predict your dog’s aggressive behavior through a stiff and rigid stance. They may also stretch their head forward while lowering their neck a bit below the shoulder level.
Ears
When golden retriever puppies are aggressive, their ears may stand straight up or be flat against their head. This can also indicate being alert, but you can tell they are aggressive coupled with other signs.
Bare Teeth or Curled Lips
Golden retriever puppies show their teeth while curling up their lips when aggressive. Puppies also smile and show teeth, but you can easily differentiate between a smile and aggression.
RELATED: Why Do Golden Retrievers Smile?
Standing Hair
The dog’s hair starting from the neck area sticks straight up when they are aggressive. It happens because of the piloerector reflex generated from piloerector muscles beneath the hairy skin and activates during strong emotions like fear, danger, and aggression. Just like we humans get goosebumps!
Stiff and Straight Tail
When puppies are aggressive, they place their tail much higher over their back, or their tail can also become stiff and straight.
Lifted Nose
When the puppies show their teeth and curl up their lips due to aggression, their nose can also slightly lift upward.
Growling, Snarling, or Biting
Some other strong signs of aggression that golden retriever puppies show include growling, snarling, snapping, lunging, or biting.
Summary: Signs of aggression in golden retrievers include intense staring, stiff and rigid stance, ears standing up or flattened, bared teeth or curled lips, standing hair, a stiff or raised tail, lifted nose, and behaviors like growling or biting.
What to Do If Your Puppy is Showing Signs of Aggression?
If you have been asking yourself lately, “Why is my golden retriever puppy so hyper and aggressive?”, you need to take them to a professional vet to rule out any health conditions or injuries that may be causing this issue.
RECOMMENDED READING: Why Is My Golden Retriever So Hyper?
If they are fit and healthy, you should seek the advice of a veterinarian as to how to deal with this behavior problem.
They will probably recommend you to an expert dog behaviorist or a professional puppy trainer.
A qualified professional can help identify the underlying cause of the aggression and work with you to develop a training plan to address the issue.
It is also important to remember that aggression in puppies should always be taken seriously.
Of course, your puppy may behave aggressively in certain situations.
However, if you notice any sudden, persistent, or severe changes in your puppy’s behavior, it is crucial to take the advice of a professional as soon as possible.
Aggression in puppies can be dangerous and should be addressed promptly to ensure the safety of everyone involved as well as your pup’s wellbeing.
Summary: If your golden retriever puppy shows signs of aggression, consult a vet to rule out health issues, then seek advice from a dog behaviorist or professional trainer to address and manage the behavior effectively.
8 Tips for Preventing Aggression in Golden Retriever Puppies
In addition to taking professional help, you can also manage and prevent aggressive behavior in golden retriever puppies and even dogs by implementing these valuable and practical tips.
1. Find a Reliable and Reputable Breeder
One of the best ways to prevent aggression in golden retriever puppies is to choose a reliable and reputable breeder.
Of course, genetics and environmental factors in which the puppy was raised play a massive role in your pup’s behavior.
Until your golden retriever is ready to come home to you, the breeder is responsible for their training, nutrition, socialization, and exercise.
Related: When Can Golden Retriever Puppies Leave Their Mother?
Look for a breeder with a good reputation for producing well-socialized, happy, and healthy puppies.
A reputable breeder will provide you with health clearances for the parents, which can help reduce the risk of inherited aggression due to certain diseases like hypothyroidism and epilepsy.
They should also be able to provide you with reports on their hips, elbows, eyes, and heart health. You should check out the responsibilities of a breeder by GRCA.
Summary: Choosing a reputable breeder is crucial for getting a well-socialized, healthy golden retriever puppy. Reputable breeders provide health clearances for the parents and ensure proper training, nutrition, and socialization for the puppies.
2. Proper Socialization
Proper socialization is crucial for golden retriever puppies to develop into well-behaved, calm, and friendly dogs.
Exposing your puppy to various people, situations, animals, and environments from an early age is essential.
This can help prevent fear and aggression toward unfamiliar situations or individuals.
Is your golden retriever aggressive towards other dogs, people, or situations? Chances are they aren’t adequately socialized and don’t know how to behave with them, so they may act out of anxiety.
Socialization should be done in a controlled and positive manner to ensure a positive experience for the puppy.
The responsibility of socialization starts with the breeder and transfers to you when your pup gets home.
You can also ask your vet for the best socialization classes in your area, which are conducted by reliable professionals.
Summary: Proper socialization is vital for golden retriever puppies to become well-behaved and friendly. Early exposure to diverse people, animals, and environments in a positive, controlled environment helps prevent fear and aggression. Socialization should start with the breeder and continue at home.
3. Training
Training is essential for preventing aggressive behavior in golden retriever puppies.
Basic obedience training can help establish a strong bond between the puppy and the owner and provide boundaries.
It can also teach the puppy how to respond appropriately to situations and commands.
You should be consistent in your training, using the same commands every time.
This can help prevent confusion and reduce the risk of your puppy becoming aggressive out of frustration or confusion.
You must also teach your kids how to behave around a puppy or dog.
They should respect them and give them space. Being rough with the puppy can make them over-excited or aggressive.
You can also hire a reputable and professional dog trainer if training them seems difficult.
Furthermore, it’s essential to understand the golden retriever puppy behavior stages to provide them with proper training and care.
Doing so will help you learn their behavior and the right strategy to adopt during every phase, rather than merely saying my 7-month-old golden retriever is aggressive and fretting about it.
RECOMMENDED READING: Golden Retriever 7 Months Old Behavior: A Complete Guide
Summary: Training is crucial to prevent aggression in golden retriever puppies, involving consistent basic obedience to establish a bond and set boundaries. Understanding behavioral stages and considering professional training help manage and guide their development effectively.
4. Use Positive Reinforcement, Not Punishment
Positive reinforcement is an effective training technique that rewards desired behavior and encourages the puppy to repeat that behavior.
It is important to use rewards that your puppy finds enjoyable and motivating when using positive reinforcement.
This includes their favorite treats, praises like good boy or girl, or even petting them.
Rewards are to be given immediately after the desired behavior is displayed so that your puppy associates the reward with the behavior.
Additionally, it is important to avoid rewarding negative behavior, as this can reinforce the behavior and make it more likely to occur.
For example, if your golden retriever puppy jumps up and barks at you for attention, you respond by petting or playing with the puppy.
In that case, the puppy learns that jumping and barking is the way to get attention. This can lead to more frequent and intense jumping and barking behaviors in the future.
Moreover, punishing a golden retriever puppy for aggressive behavior can worsen the behavior and damage the bond between the owner and the puppy.
When it comes to preventing aggressive behavior in golden retriever puppies, it is important to avoid punishment, like intimidation, yelling, and yanking their leash, at all costs and instead focus on positive reinforcement.
Otherwise, they may become fearful or defensive, leading to aggressive behavior toward you and others.
Summary: Positive reinforcement rewards desired behaviors in golden retriever puppies, using treats, praise, and petting, while avoiding punishment that can worsen aggression and damage the owner-puppy bond. It’s crucial to reinforce positive behaviors, not negative ones.
5. Exercise
Regular exercise is important for golden retriever puppies to release excess energy as it can lead to unwanted behaviors such as chewing, digging, jumping, and barking.
Recommended Reading: Do Golden Retrievers Dig?
Both physical exercise and mental stimulation are important to help your pup release pent-up energy.
According to The Kennel Club, you should exercise your puppy for up to 5 minutes according to their age in months twice a day.
Let’s say, your pup is 8 months old, they should exercise (walk) for up to 40 minutes (5 minutes x 8 months) TWICE a day. That would be up to 80 minutes of physical exercise in total a day.
Don’t go overboard with physical exercise, as it can harm your pup’s developing joints.
You should also mentally stimulate them for about 20 to 30 minutes daily with toys that mentally challenge them, such as puzzles or playing games like hide and seek.
Not to mention, exercise can help your puppy maintain a healthy weight and prevent obesity-related health problems.
According to a study, obesity can negatively impact the health and longevity of dogs.
Summary: Regular exercise, including both physical activity and mental stimulation, is crucial for golden retriever puppies to manage energy levels and prevent unwanted behaviors.
6. Prevent the Triggers
Identify triggers that cause aggression in golden retriever puppies, such as unfamiliar people and situations, and avoid them.
Since you spend most of the time with your little puppy, you should be able to identify what triggers their aggression.
Gradual exposure to the trigger in a controlled and positive environment can help the puppy overcome fear and prevent aggressive behavior.
You can always take professional help to identify and overcome triggers.
Summary: Identify and avoid triggers that cause aggression in golden retriever puppies, like unfamiliar people or situations. Gradual, controlled exposure can help overcome fear and aggression, with professional assistance if needed.
7. Give Your Pup Some Time to Grow
It is important to remember that golden retriever puppies go through different developmental stages and may display different behavior during each stage, which may seem quite inappropriate to you.
Changes in behavior, physical development, and cognitive abilities characterize these stages.
You should understand these stages so that you can provide appropriate care, socialization, and training to your puppy.
Give your puppy time to grow and mature, and continue to provide proper socialization and training.
Golden retriever puppies don’t usually fully mature until they are about 2 years old. Is your 2-year-old golden retriever aggressive? Some golden retrievers may take a bit more time to mature. When they mature, they will behave better and be less energetic than a younger puppy.
Summary: Golden retriever puppies experience various developmental stages, each with unique behaviors, physical growth, and cognitive changes. Understanding these stages is crucial for appropriate care and training. Full maturity typically occurs around 2 years of age.
8. Patience and Love
Preventing aggression in golden retriever puppies requires patience and consistency.
It is important to understand that puppies learn at their own pace and may require different approaches to training.
You should establish a consistent routine and rules for your puppy.
Consistency helps your puppy understand what is expected of them and helps prevent confusion.
For example, if your puppy is not allowed on the furniture, it is important to enforce this rule consistently and not allow exceptions.
Along with patience, you should be kind, gentle, and loving to your puppy. If they have been abused in the past, they will slowly learn to trust again.
Summary: Preventing aggression in golden retriever puppies requires patience, consistency in training, and establishing clear rules. Kindness, gentleness, and love are essential, especially for puppies who have experienced past abuse, to build trust and good behavior.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why does my dog get aggressive when I leave?
Dogs can become aggressive when their owners leave due to separation anxiety. Separation anxiety is a behavior disorder that occurs when a dog becomes excessively attached to their owner and experiences distress when left alone. This can cause the dog to display various behaviors, including destructive behavior, excessive barking, and aggression.
2. Why does my dog get aggressive at bedtime?
Your dog may have associated darkness or night with a traumatic event or situation, which may cause them to feel anxious. They may also be able to hear perceived threats more easily at night due to silence. All of this can lead to aggressive behavior at bedtime.
3. Why does my dog get aggressive when he humps?
Not always sexual, humping or mounting can be triggered due to stress, lack of exercise, underlying medical condition, dominance, or overexcitement. Their behavior may seem inappropriate to you, and they may show aggression to cope with stress or boredom.
4. Why does my golden retriever growl at me?
As a way of communication, your golden retriever may growl at you to bring your attention to their pain due to an underlying medical issue. Along with pain, fear, possessive aggression, or territoriality may also cause them to growl at you. You must identify the underlying issue and address it.
Conclusion
Aggressive behavior in golden retriever puppies can be concerning and may have various underlying causes, from illness, lack of exercise, and poor training and socialization to fear or anxiety. It is essential to address this behavior promptly to prevent it from becoming a bigger issue.
If you’re interested in knowing when your puppy will calm down and what effective strategies you can incorporate in the meantime, you should read this article next – When Do Golden Retriever Puppies Get Easier?